One important aspect of a property’s exterior is the driveway, pathway or patio used in the outdoor decoration. Several materials can be used for this purpose including concrete, tarmac, asphalt or block paving. However, due to the limitations of these flooring systems, the resin bound gravel paving is now becoming a preferred system of choice. They are used for various resin bound options including- resin gravel driveway or resin driveways, resin gravel path and patios.
Resin Bound Gravel paving refers to the system of combining aggregate stones (gravels) together with resin to create smooth, permeable and flexible resin bound surfacing. As the name implies, the resin is bound to the gravel to form a durable union which when installed properly lasts for decades while remaining in perfect condition.
Because the stones are bound to the resin, there are no loose gravels as is noticed in the resin bonded gravel where the resin is first poured on the intended driveway area and the stones scattered onto the surface. However, the surface is porous which allows for water to pass through the surface and into the ground forming a permeable resin bound gravel.
Resin bound driveways and other bound gravel drives made with this system are not only therefore SUDS compliant and thus environmentally friendly. This is because they allow water to drain into the ground preventing puddling and the risk of flash flooding after a heavy rainfall.
This decorative resin bound gravel color does not also require so much to keep them in top condition thanks to its low maintenance requirement. Additionally, it is also cost effective as you will not require periodic surface resealing which also consumes resources over time. Also, as long as the resin bound gravel driveway is installed using a UV stable resin (aliphatic polyurethane resins), the surface will not fade or discolour on exposure to sunlight.
The gravel resin used for a resin gravel driveway comes in different sizes ranging from 0.1 to 10mm. Aggregate stones of sizes 3-8mm are used for Resin Bound Gravel installation while bigger gravel sizes of 10mm are used for border areas. Accordingly, the thickness of the driveway to be installed will depend on the intended use. The ideal resin drive thickness for walking is 12mm. For light traffic, it should be installed at a 15mm thickness while 18mm thickness is recommended for heavy duty vehicle use.
These two types of gravel are not the same even though one can be mistaken for the other. Let us briefly compare these two types of resin gravels and talk about their suitability so that you can make an informed decision for your next driveway project.
The Resin Bonded Gravel is made of scattered gravel on a layer of resin. This makes it ideal if the driveway is on a slope. The scattered stone gives the surface a textured finish which provides more grip and anti-slip qualities. This makes it safe for both vehicles (light traffic), pedestrians and disabled ramps.
It is also cheaper than the bound resin gravel option but you may need to construct a secondary drainage channel as the surface is not porous which means water does not pass through the surface.
There is therefore a high risk of water puddles and flash flooding after a heavy rainfall. Also bear in mind that to install the drainage channel will also need approval from the UK planning authority.
The scattered stones on the surface of a bonded gravel resin can also work loose over time causing bald patches. It is also not very ideal for areas where you have children or disabled people who need wheelchairs for mobility.
The Resin Bound Gravel on the other hand has a smooth surface which makes it ideal for children and presents greater access to disabled persons since it provides an ideal surface for wheelchairs. It is the best option for areas such as swimming pool areas, resin bound gravel garden, patios, pathways and even gulf courses.
Cleaning a resin bound driveway isn’t as burdensome as the resin bonded as the you only need to use a stiff broom to get rid of dirt while an occasional pressure wash can be done as well to keep the driveway looking good. No need for shoveling loose stones back into the driveway or surface re-sealing.
Furthermore, even though it is not as textured as the bonded resin type, it has enough grip even in sloped areas. Installation is also easy as you can do the installation yourself using our Resin Bound Gravel kits. Therefore, as long as you have an already existing suitable surface such as macadam, tarmac or concrete, you can install your driveway as a Resin Bound Gravel DIY project.
The best sub base for resin bound gravel however is the macadam because of its durability and surface porosity.
Here is a summary of the benefits of installing a resin bound gravel;
Take a look at the comparison table below to see how resin bound gravel compares with other surface options.
| Property | Resin Bound Gravel | Tarmac | Concrete | Block paving |
| Highly durable | Yes | Average | Yes | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design flexibility | Yes | basic | Basic | basic |
| Non-fade/ discolouration | Yes | No | No | No |
| Permeability | Yes | No | No | No |
| Ease of maintenance | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Slip resistant | Yes | No | No | No |
| Weed resistant | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Frost resistant | Yes | No | No | No |
| Smooth finish | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Crack resistant | Yes | No | No | No |
| UV resistant | Yes | No | No | No |
Here is how to install resin bound gravel :
Each of our resin bound gravel Kit contains
Generally, there are three stages to laying the resin surface which are;
Adequate care should be taken at this point as it is crucial to the success of the project. Poor base preparation or irregular base will lead to surface cracking, swelling or caving in of the driveway in the long run.
The following processes should be undertaken during the base preparation-
The X-Grid® doesn’t need curing unlike concrete and tarmac meaning that there is no time lag between laying the reinforcement layer and floating the resin. You may want to choose that above other options.
The recommended depth for the different solid base options are;
Mix the resin and the aggregate stones using the Resin Bound Gravel mixer.
The formula for material separation and mixing is as follows;
You can also add 5% coarse sand or crushed glass to any of the above mixing formulas.
Trowel the mix onto the prepared surface and leave to cure for about 4 hours depending on the temperature. You may also add an accelerator into the resin mix to quicken the curing process. Ensure that the resin is evenly distributed on the surface
The following factors will determine the cost of your resin bound gravel driveway surface-
The table below shows the Resin Bound Gravel cost per m2-
| Area (M2) | Cost per M2 | Total Cost |
| 20 | £60 | £1,200 |
| 40 | £60 | £2,400 |
| 100 | £50 | £5,000 |
| 200 | £50 | £10,000 |
You can trust YourResinDriveway for the best materials for your Resin Bound Gravel installation. We source our materials from the best places in the UK and ensure they are well processed using modern technologies for the best results.
Contact us for a free quote and more enquiries or professional advice on your next driveway project.
As long as the installation is done properly and the driveway is used for its originally intended purpose, bound resin gravels can last for more than 20 years.
After the mixture has been laid on the driveway, it should be left undisturbed for at least four hours for curing to be complete. However, you may decide to add an accelerator to quicken the curing process. Also, curing is much faster under warmer temperatures than in colder temperatures.
Resin bound gravel is environmentally friendly. Apart from the fact that they can be made from recycled stones or glass which saves energy and resources that would have been used up if they were made from scratch, they are also permeable which allows water to drain through the surface to the water bed. This helps to reduce environmental pollution by trapping pollutants from rainwater in the soil or in the driveway itself.
Also, by being porous they help prevent thermal shock which could be experienced in hot summer months if warm water were to flow directly into streams or other water bodies. They also help to reduce the overall impact of flooding in an area.
Regular sweeping using a stiff-bristled broom or brush to remove debris and leaves in addition to frequent hosing down will help to keep your driveway in top condition. You can also do a Jet Wash twice a year to avoid accumulation of dirt and marks on your driveway surface. The jet wash should be with a flat spraying nozzle to improve accuracy when spraying your driveway. The water pressure should not be above 150 bar as using excessive water pressure could damage your driveway.
To get rid of any weeds which may find their way on the resin surface, pull out the root with the weed or use a mild weed killer. DO not use strong chemicals which can damage your driveway. Use a plastic snow shovel to remove ice and snow.
Usually, resin bound gravel is not slippery. Slip resistance is one of its properties. One reason a resin bound surface may be slippery is if the right amount of resin is not used for the installation. You can also apply an anti-slip coating to the finished driveway to further improve slip resistance.
